Sport Get more ball to Folau, says Cheika

08:35 18 june 2017

08:35 18 june 2017 Source:
MSN

Folau crosses twice as Wallabies beat Fiji

The Wallabies have opened the year with a 37-14 Test win over Fiji with fullback Israel Folau crossing for a double in Melbourne.Folau came up with a try in each half at AAMI Park as the Australians dusted off the cobwebs in their first Test of the year.

"Even just the last few games of this season for the Waratahs and now into this match today, he looked very dangerous," said Cheika of Folau . "We've probably got to get the ball to him a little bit more . I was very happy with his performance."

With Folau looking that dangerous, the next step is for the Wallabies to hand him more opportunities, something that coach Michael Cheika said would be a key focus in the “We’ve probably got to get the ball to him a little bit more , let him use it a bit more but I was very happy with his performance.”

Folau's effort to leap high above Scottish fullback Greig Tonks and reel in Bernard Foley's pinpoint crossfield kick reminded AFL fans what they let go when the code hopper left the GWS Giants to play rugby in 2013.

It also showed Cheika what Folau can offer the Wallabies the more his teammates get ball to the dual international - however they can.

Cheika hails 'dangerous' Folau in Wallabies win

Israel Folau was back on the scoreboard and Michael Cheika delighted in seeing him translate his Waratahs form to the Wallabies.Michael Cheika enjoyed seeing Israel Folau produce a "dangerous" display as he scored two tries in Australia's 37-14 victory over Fiji in Melbourne.

“There’s a possibility of (switching Folau to centre). We’ve used him up there before in different times even though he’s wearing 15,” Cheika said on Monday. “Then you’ve got Kuridrani who is well and truly experienced in that position too.

He also leapt high for a five-pointer against Fiji and now has two tryscoring doubles in eight days after going 12 matches and 12 months without crossing the stripe for the Wallabies.

Cheika said crossfield kicks for Australia's attacking trump will again be the way to go on Saturday when the Wallabies complete their June Test series against Italy in Brisbane.

"I wouldn't be claiming to be a genius coach to work that out," Cheika said.

"It's pretty straightforward. Like, he's one of the best in the air if you kick him over the ball.

"You're always betwixt and between with stuff. Do you want to keep playing footy or do you want to kick over there?

"But if he's going to catch all of those, you'll keep kicking it over there, I'd say, and then that should open up some other space to give you some opportunities.

"But he's obviously a class act on there and he made some other good interventions, some good carries when he didn't get a lot of quick go-forward ball.

"So I think he's in a nice vein of form at the moment."

Wallabies win 40-27, but it was hardly comfortable .
<p>With just minutes left to play the Wallabies held only a one-point advantage and were a man down on the field after Toby Smith was sin-binned.</p>Michael Cheika will be greatly relieved with the result but there’s still plenty to work on ahead of the Rugby Championship.

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"Even just the last few games of this season for the Waratahs and now into this match today, he looked very dangerous," said Cheika of Folau . "We've probably got to get the ball to him a little bit more . I was very happy with his performance."

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With Folau looking that dangerous, the next step is for the Wallabies to hand him more opportunities, something that coach Michael Cheika said would be a key focus in the “We’ve probably got to get the ball to him a little bit more , let him use it a bit more but I was very happy with his performance.”

“There’s a possibility of (switching Folau to centre). We’ve used him up there before in different times even though he’s wearing 15,” Cheika said on Monday. “Then you’ve got Kuridrani who is well and truly experienced in that position too.

Michael Cheika says it's not a time to panic for Australian rugby 0:43. “The more we’ve got him touching the ball in that front line, he’s definitely going to attract more defenders. Foley was full of praise for Folau , who has attracted more and more attention from opposition sides around the world

Get Sky Sports. More from Rugby Union. Folau collided with Cheika when collecting a high ball . Cheika also light-heartedly referred to the incident at his press conference following his arrival in London.

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Late charge seals Bok win over France. 6dNick Said , KweséESPN. Backyard to Lions' den: Ioane boys to torment tourists. 10dSam Bruce. "We probably got to get the ball to him ( Folau ) a little bit more , and let him use it a bit more ," mused Cheika .

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Michael Cheika and tackle culprit Israel Folau in a more jovial time. "Let's be honest that's what you get when Israel Folau 's coming down on you with a high ball , someone's shoulder is probably going downhill," McMahon said .

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"We probably got to get the ball to him ( Folau ) a little bit more , and let him use it a bit more ," mused Cheika . That is bound to occur in the next two Test matches against Scotland and Italy, which will be a step up from the Fijian international.

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